Architects behind a £900,000 redevelopment of a busy town square in Ipswich have revealed how it will look after the revamp.

The renovation of Arras Square located beside the Buttermarket Centre and St Stephen's Church would include a new seating, paving, drainage, lighting, CCTV, litter bins and trees as well as a new mural.

Ipswich residents had their say in choosing the design for the square’s engravings from three proposals, poetry, mythical creature or arches drawings.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Borough Council asked residents to vote on one of three designs which will appear on Arras Square, IBCIpswich Borough Council asked residents to vote on one of three designs which will appear on Arras Square, IBC (Image: IBC)

A poll carried out by the Ipswich Star saw 656 votes, with the residents choosing the mythical creature as the winner.

Ipswich Borough Council’s spokesperson said that the design will complete the existing wooden beam with goblin creatures carvings located on the back of Wilko’s building close to the square.

Arras Square has been chosen as a part of the Ipswich Borough Council’s initiative called the ‘Turning our Town Around’ and will be financed from the council’s £3million funding to improve the town centre.

Ipswich Star: Arras Square, NewsquestArras Square, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “It’s clear that local people want us to improve Arras Square.

“This scheme will deliver a much-improved space where people can enjoy their surroundings and visit local businesses, including the new music venue at St Stephen’s Church opening in a few weeks.”

Ipswich Star: Councillor Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, NewsquestCouncillor Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

The plans also include the removal of 10 trees on site to improve visibility and overshadowing and replacing them with 11 trees in more considered locations.

Accessibility improvements such as repaving and relevelling the site would be considered as well.

A decision on the planning application is expected in the late summer. If the scheme is approved it is anticipated that work will start in the autumn and be completed in autumn 2024.